Newsom signs non-ultraprocessed foods labeling bill

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, today signed a bill creating labeling for foods that are non-ultraprocessed.

“While Washington D.C. is paralyzed by inaction, Republicans and Democrats in California are joining forces to empower consumers to avoid harmful ultra-processed foods,” Assembly member Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, who introduced the bill, said in a news release from Newsom’s office. “Like the USDA Organic label, this new seal will provide consumers with clear, trustworthy information and make it easier for them to locate healthier foods that are free from harmful additives. Parents shouldn’t need a Ph.D. in chemistry to understand what they’re feeding their kids. California began this movement three years ago by banning the most dangerous food additives, and with Gov. Newsom’s continued leadership, we are taking another big step forward today.”

The California Department of Public Health will oversee certification of products that meet the state’s non-UPF standard, approving and accrediting third-party certifiers to conduct product certifications. The products must be recertified at least every three years. The law directs the department to accredit these third-party certifiers no later than June 1, 2029.

“Today, California raised the bar for what we consider healthy food,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, Environmental Working Group senior vice president for California. “Consumers deserve labels they can trust, and with Gov. Newsom’s signature, families now have a simple way to tell which foods are closer to what comes from a kitchen rather than a factory.”